I really liked this wine!
2009 Stags Leap Wine Cellars Winemakers Reserve Merlot. From a Big Ranch Road site. This started out somewhat lean, with a strong red cherry and menthol character. With air over an hour, it became darker and richer and earthier, with more black plum. Nice wine...but the winery staff said this was the last bottle!
2010 Bartholemew Park Syrah (Sonoma County). Some sheen of oak on the texture, but definitely some lovely meaty notes as well. Quite delicious!
2008 J.C. Cellars Rockpile Road Syrah. This showed more "meaty" character when tried at the winery. Last night, this showed much more as a strongly floral wine. Blazing pomegranite fruit with a lot of acid. Very high acid! Somewhat hot. Definitely a jammier style than I usually prefer, but the fruit and the acid went very well with Oxtail Stew.